Do Chiweenies Bark A Lot? [Triggers & Training Guide]

It’s easy to focus on the cute positives when choosing a breed of dog or a new hybrid dog. Little dogs like Chiweenies will always be popular because they look like the ideal blend of the tiny little Chihuahua and the playful Dachshund. But, there is something that we tend to forget when dealing with small dogs and their crosses – their tendency to bark. Chihuahuas are one of the yappiest dogs out there. So, does this diminish when you cross them with a Dachshund? Or, are you still likely to get a Chiweenie that barks a lot?

Do Chiweenies bark a lot? Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that your new Chiweenie pup will become a loud and persistent barker. They can use their voice to get attention and feel like a bigger dog. They can also bark when legitimately scared. So, it’s vital to get to know your dog’s habits and train them appropriately.

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Two Vocal Breeds

The Chiweenie is the offspring of two vocal breeds.

There are lots of different factors that can explain a Chiweenies tendency to bark.

First of all, we need to consider the habits of the parent breeds and how this relates to the likely behavior of the Chiweenie.

The Chiweenie is a cross between a Dachshund, which tends to be very loud for its size, and the Chihuahua, which isn’t afraid to bark a lot to get its way.

Therefore, you could end up with a dog that has the persistence of the Chihuahua and the volume of the Dachshund.

On the other hand, you could find that the situation isn’t quite that bad and they are quieter than expected.

It’s best to assume that you will get the former to prepare yourself and be ready to handle it.

Why do Chiweenies Bark so Much?

There are many reasons why a Chiweenie may decide to bark a lot. Many of these will come from the temperament of the Chihuahua parent. Chihuahuas tend to be yappy attention-seeking dogs that know that they can get their way by barking at their human.

If a Chiweenie learns that you will come running every time they bark, give them what they need, and reinforce these misconceptions about their place in the pack, things will only worsen.

Possessiveness and Jealousy

A possessive and jealous Chiweenie will bark at people and other animals.

Also, Chihuahuas can be very possessive of their owners, so you need to be careful that this doesn’t come through in their Chiweenie offspring.

Possessiveness comes from feelings of jealousy.

The dog doesn’t like seeing their human interacting with other people and giving them love and attention instead.

Chihuahua owners often experience their dog growling and barking at new partners for getting too close.

There is the risk that the same will happen if one leading caregiver raises a Chiweenie. Couples that share responsibilities and have a robust regime at home can work to avoid this.

Possessiveness tendencies can also come through in the way that Chiweenies interact with other animals.

These dogs don’t always do well in homes with other dogs or cats because they don’t like these bigger animals getting any attention or getting too close to their food and toys.

They can start barking and agitating other dogs to where the larger dog becomes more submissive and gives in.

It’s essential that all dogs receive fair treatment in the house.

Night Barking and Separation Anxiety

The devotion that Chiweenies have for their owners can have the damaging knock-on effect of separation anxiety. They want to be with you so much that they get stressed when left alone. Many will bark a lot to try and get you back and to show their displeasure.

Ideally, these dogs shouldn’t be left alone for very long.

On top of this, you have the issue of Chiweenies struggling to sleep alone at night and barking through the night.

There will also be times when a Chiweenie’s fears are rational, and they feel threatened.

The barking response is the easiest way for a small dog like a Chiweenie to assert and protect itself.

In those cases with less-familiar people in the home, this is an over-reaction, and it is vital to keep this under control.

But, there will be times where dogs see a stranger near the home or come into contact with something that frightens them. It is essential to recognize the difference and to be able to comfort the dog in these times of stress.

Take them away from the stimulus and help calm the dog to reduce the barking.

Or, you might find that your Chiweenie is barking more than usual because they are in pain or unwell. They may bark when handled or whine a little when you go near them. This is where it helps to get a better understanding of the sounds that your dog makes.

Once you recognize what it sounds like when your dog is barking for attention, you will soon notice when something is a little different.

If you have any doubts that they aren’t just acting up and may need medical attention, keep a closer eye on them and contact a vet if the issue persists.

Training a Chiweenie Not to Bark so Much

These issues with distinguishing between legitimate concerns and barking for attention emphasize the need for practical training. You don’t want to end up in some “boy who cried wolf” situation where you assume that the dog is acting up for no reason, but there is a severe issue. Training your Chiweenie not to bark for attention, and teaching them to minimize separation anxiety and possessive tendencies, should help.

Training Chiweenies Isn’t Easy

First of all, it’s essential to note that Chiweenies aren’t the easiest dogs to train. Their energy levels can ensure that they want to play and turn sessions into a game.

But, they also have a stubborn side where they won’t cooperate if they don’t want to.

It could take a while for the lessons to sink in. However, regular practice with consistent efforts will pay off.

Positive reinforcement will also help you get better results.

Barking for Attention

It’s essential to start with obedience training from an early age to ensure that you have authority as the pack leader in the household.

The sooner that Chiweenies learn that they can get their way if they bark, the more often they will use this trick.

So, it helps if they don’t get an opportunity to learn that.

Please don’t give them the attention that they crave when they start barking for attention or jumping up at you. Instead, wait until they relax and quieten down before giving them praise.

They will soon realize that being quiet yields better rewards.

Dealing with Possessive Tendencies

If your dog barks a lot at other people or animals, they need to learn that this behavior will not give them the rewards that they are after.

If they bark at another dog for going near their food and then take that other dog away, you encourage the behavior.

It also makes it easier for the Chiweenie to reach their end goal.

If you take the Chiweenie away from the food and toys instead, it shows that you won’t tolerate that behavior.

Give the toys back when they can play nicely.

Dealing with Barking when Left Alone or at Night

The barking that comes with separation anxiety is more difficult because you cannot reinforce the training. The dog may not stop barking until you return.

The most important thing to do here is to minimize the length of time you are away from home and offer plenty of distractions.

Please give them a cozy space in their crate where they can sleep and play with toys.

Make it smell like you for added comfort.

As for night barking, you need to resist the temptation to go to the dog. Let them bark until they stop by themselves. They need to learn that you aren’t going to come to them until the morning and that this is fine.

Greet them with lots of love and praise when you wake up and maintain a regular sleep schedule for consistency.

Final Thoughts – Do Chiweenies Bark A Lot?

In short, there is a solid chance that your Chiweenie will bark a lot and that they will be a yappy breed. The Chihuahua and Dachshund linage isn’t in your favor there. Sometimes, that barking will have a purpose, and they can warn you about dangers and tell you if they are scared or in pain. But, there will be other times when they are barking to get attention or assert dominance over other dogs. Take your time to work on the underlying issue to reduce barking and maintain harmony in the family.